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Fishing regulations at Straits of Florida, FL
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Common dolphinfish
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.
Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.
Effective May 2nd 2022, the recreational vessel limit for dolphin is 54 fish (excluding headboats). The 10 dolphin per person per day recreational bag limit will remain unchanged for all recreational vessels (private, charter vessels, and headboats). See Fishery Bulletin Must be landed with head and fins intact.
Minimum size limit only applies in waters off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas.
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Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats: -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed.
For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.
Blackfin tuna
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.
This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Swordfish
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.
Lower Jaw to Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the lower jaw to the rear center edge of the tail
Gigging
Harvest by gigging prohibited.
Snagging
Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.
Spears
Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.
Swordfish may be harvested with rod and reel and/or handline.
Swordfish captured but not retained must be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival. Do NOT remove the fish from the water.
No more than one daily limit may be possessed onboard a vessel regardless of the length of the trip.
Anglers must report all recreational billfish landings. Report all non-tournament recreational Atlantic billfish landings to NMFS within 24 hours by calling 1-800-894-5528 or hmspermits.noaa.gov.
You must report recreational landings of billfish in North Carolina by calling 1-800-338-7804.
You must report recreational landings of billfish in Maryland by calling 1-410-213-1531.
All highly migratory species require an HMS Angling Permit from NOAA Fisheries. Permits are available by calling 1-888-872-8862, or by visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. No sale permitted for HMS species caught under an HMS Angling Permit.
For complete HMS regulations contact NOAA Fisheries HMS Management Division at 1-301-427-8503 or visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species
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